School security system now connected to 911

Wednesday

May 14, 2014 at 9:00 PM

Constantine Superintendent Chuck Frisbie told board of education members Monday that in addition to a new buzz-in security system at each school, the buildings are now hooked up directly to the county's 911 dispatch center.

By Angie BirdsallSpecial to the Journal

Constantine Superintendent Chuck Frisbie told board of education members Monday that in addition to a new buzz-in security system at each school, the buildings are now hooked up directly to the county’s 911 dispatch center. The school also participated in an emergency lockdown drill at Constantine High School May 1 with the assistance of members of the Constantine, Sturgis and White Pigeon police departments.“If a call goes to 911 for a school situation, our school safety plans come up on the screen at 911. They can access our cameras right away. They have a photo of every room in every building, and can even shut things down if they wish,” he said.Frisbie said Constantine is the only school in the county to have this system, and the cost is relatively inexpensive.“It cost $3,000 initially, but there is a yearly fee of $300 per building after this. Well worth the expense, because we want our children safe,” he said.He said a similar system is now installed at Sandy Hook, the scene of a 2012 school shooting, and is in a number of Ohio schools.“We’ve already tested it out and it works,” he said, adding that central dispatch is “thrilled with this. They want everyone to have it.”